COMMUNITY figures have condemned the ‘unacceptable’ food parcels sent out to families after images were shared online of the shocking contents of the free school meal provisions.

One mother, known on Twitter as Roadside Mum, posted an image of a £30 parcel which was estimated to contain just over £5 worth of food.

She said: “Two days jacket potato with beans, eight single cheese sandwiches, two days carrots, three days apples, two days Soreen, three days Frubes.

“Issued instead of £30 vouchers. I could do more with £30 to be honest.”

Since then, more families have shared photographs of the parcels they received, with pictures showing half a pepper, tuna encased in a money bag and small bags of pasta.

Foodservice company Chartwells had been contracted by the Government to provide the meals.The business has since said they are investigating the claims.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said he was outraged by the situation.

“It is an insult,” he said.

“It’s good to see the Government has reacted quickly and it looks like they are going to address this.

“But we as taxpayers have paid for this company to provide free school meals to families and they have done so without any kind of dignity for the families and have clearly underprovided.”

Jane Hodgson, from Kendal’s Waste into Well-being, said: “We would hope that packed lunches comprise sufficient healthy fresh food for children.

“We worry that distribution in this way leads to an overemphasis on processed food.

“Vouchers provide opportunity for cannier shopping by parents to get the best food for their child.”

Furness MP Simon Fell echoed the disappointment felt with the content of the meal parcels, he said: "It’s completely unacceptable.

"When money is available to fill these boxes with decent food, it’s outrageous that it is not occurring.

"My understanding is that that the Department for Education are speaking to the company responsible to ensure that boxes like this are not given to families in the future.

"I look forward to seeing the results of the discussions shortly."